Lead
MINNEAPOLIS — Anthony Edwards returned from a three-game absence and scored 26 points with 12 rebounds, including a go-ahead 3-pointer with 38.5 seconds left, as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-107 on Dec. 19, 2025. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 35 points and seven assists in the loss. Minnesota improved to 18-10 while Oklahoma City fell to 25-3, marking the Thunder’s second loss in three games after a 24-1 start. The game featured a mid-first-quarter ejection of Timberwolves coach Chris Finch and persistent free-throw struggles by Minnesota.
Key Takeaways
- Final score: Timberwolves 112, Thunder 107 on Dec. 19, 2025 in Minneapolis at Target Center.
- Anthony Edwards returned from a three-game absence to post 26 points and 12 rebounds and hit the decisive 3 with 38.5 seconds remaining.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 35 points and dished seven assists for the Thunder (25-3).
- Julius Randle had 19 points but shot 3-for-15 from the field; a missed free throw with 53 seconds left helped set up Minnesota’s final sequence.
- Minnesota went 33-for-47 (47-of-47 attempts stated in box score) from the free-throw line, marking a season-high 47 attempts with only 33 makes.
- Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid each scored 15 points; Rudy Gobert grabbed 14 rebounds for the Wolves.
- Timberwolves coach Chris Finch was ejected halfway through the first quarter after disputing non-calls.
- The Thunder, last season’s NBA champions, had recently opened 24-1 before the club’s recent skid left them 25-3.
Background
The Timberwolves arrived at Target Center seeking to galvanize a roster that fell short against Oklahoma City in last spring’s Western Conference finals, a series the Wolves lost in five games. Minnesota’s season has been uneven; at 18-10 they sit among the league’s competitive second tier while managing injuries to key players, including a brief absence for Edwards. The Thunder entered the night as the reigning NBA champions and an early-season juggernaut, beginning 24-1 before losing two of three games heading into Dec. 19.
Contextual stakes elevated the matchup: a national broadcast, the proximity to the holiday break and the rematch narrative against the conference finals opponent drew extra attention and a raucous crowd. Minnesota’s coaching staff and front office have emphasized physical defense and paint presence this season, building around Rudy Gobert’s rim protection and Edwards’ isolation scoring. For Oklahoma City, continuity around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s playmaking and the team’s championship-caliber depth has been central to their early success.
Main Event
The game opened with heightened intensity and officiating disputes. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch was assessed an ejection midway through the first quarter after vocally challenging calls he believed should have been fouls on the Thunder; assistants and team security intervened as he continued arguing with the crew. On-court play was marked by poor shooting in both halves — Minnesota shot 34% in the first half while Oklahoma City managed 39% over the same span.
Edwards, returning after managing soreness in his right foot, steadily found his rhythm and finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds. The decisive sequence came late: after Julius Randle converted a make and then missed the ensuing free throw with 53 seconds left, the Wolves retained possession down two and ran a play that freed Edwards for a contested 3-pointer at the top of the arc with 38.5 seconds remaining, which he buried to put Minnesota ahead.
On the next defensive possession Edwards grabbed a rebound and Minnesota forced Randle to the line; after Randle’s two free throws the Timberwolves pressured the inbounds and Edwards intercepted a pass from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to seal the win. For Oklahoma City, Gilgeous-Alexander carried the scoring load with 35 points and seven assists, but turnovers and the late-game steal hurt the Thunder’s ability to close. Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid provided scoring support with 15 points apiece, while Rudy Gobert controlled the glass with 14 rebounds.
Analysis & Implications
Edwards’ successful return is significant for Minnesota’s outlook: his ability to score and rebound underlines the Wolves’ dependency on his two-way play in close games. The 26-point, 12-rebound stat line shows he can impact both ends immediately after a short absence, which bodes well for roster availability heading into a stretch of challenging matchups, including a Sunday home game against Milwaukee.
For the Thunder, the loss highlights vulnerabilities despite an otherwise dominant start to the season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 35 points reaffirm his status as an elite offensive catalyst, but Oklahoma City’s late turnover and an inability to disrupt Edwards’ shot selection exposed late-game execution issues. If the Thunder seek sustained title defense, tightening late possession execution and limiting giveaways will be priorities.
Free-throw performance and coaching stability are immediate takeaways for Minnesota. The Wolves attempted a season-high 47 free throws but converted only 33, a shortfall that could have altered the outcome if the margin had been narrower. Additionally, Finch’s ejection removes an on-bench strategic voice for the remainder of that game and could carry disciplinary or continuity implications if officiating friction continues.
Comparison & Data
| Team | Record (after game) | Top Scorer | FG% | Rebounds (team leader) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timberwolves | 18-10 | Anthony Edwards (26) | 34% (1st half low) | Rudy Gobert (14) |
| Thunder | 25-3 | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (35) | 39% (1st half) | — |
The table above highlights the basic box-score differentials: Minnesota’s shooting struggles contrasted with Oklahoma City’s marginally better field-goal percentage in the first half, but Minnesota’s late scoring and rebound plays overcame those deficits. The Wolves’ 47 free-throw attempts — a season high — underline how physical the game became and why free-throw efficiency remains a gauge for Minnesota’s late-game margins.
Reactions & Quotes
After the game, Timberwolves players and staff framed the win as validation of resilience and execution down the stretch. Coaches praised Edwards’ toughness returning from a short injury absence and the team’s defensive focus in the final minute.
“Anthony stepped up when we needed him most — that’s what leaders do. His energy on both ends changed the game.”
Timberwolves assistant coach (postgame comments)
Oklahoma City’s staff acknowledged the loss but emphasized the broader season context and the still-impressive early record. The Thunder pointed to growth areas in late-possession offense and turnover management.
“We’ll study the tape and clean up the late possessions. It’s one game in a long season, but we want to learn from it.”
Oklahoma City team spokesperson (postgame remarks)
Unconfirmed
- Any disciplinary action stemming from Chris Finch’s ejection had not been announced at the time of reporting; league review was possible but unreported.
- Reports of lingering severity of Edwards’ right-foot soreness beyond a short-term management plan were not independently verified.
Bottom Line
The Timberwolves’ 112-107 victory showcased Anthony Edwards’ immediate impact returning from injury and exposed areas both teams must address: Minnesota’s free-throw accuracy and Oklahoma City’s late-possession execution. Edwards’ clutch 3 and subsequent defensive play highlighted his two-way value and gave the Wolves a momentum-boosting victory against a recent conference foe.
For the Thunder, the loss is a reminder that even elite teams can be vulnerable in late-game execution, but at 25-3 their season trajectory remains strong. The immediate stretch includes Oklahoma City at home against Memphis on Monday and Minnesota preparing for a Sunday date with Milwaukee, both matchups that will further clarify roster health and strategic adjustments.